Colliery Guardian, 13th March 1858
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT AT SHREWSBURY.

THE SNAILBEACH WORKS.

FATAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMP

Great anxiety was felt during the past week from a rumour that the number of hands employed under the Snailbeach Company was about again to be reduced.

I am glad to hear that, such is not to be the case at present, Stephen Eddy, Esq., the manager, having found them employment for the present. Some of the other mines in the neighbourhood promise better, and there is every reason to hope that the present depression will soon give way to a more healthy state of things.

On Saturday last, an explosion of firedamp occurred at the Lower Spring Pit, belonging to the Lilleshall Company. It seems that two men went down into the pit to complete some “holeing “ they had left unfinished the day before; they were followed by a boy, who carried in his hand a lighted candle. He was about to light another candle when an explosion took place. One of the men and the lad were suffocated, and when brought up were quite dead. The other man had a narrow escape for his life. The inquest was adjourned.